Capannori: Hiking Routes, Villas and Culture

Explore Capannori through a range of interests: hiking routes in the north, two versions of the Via Francigena, historic villas, and cultural and natural sites. When planning your stay, you can choose the destinations described here based on landscape, cycling route, history or nature.

Routes on the Pizzorne and through the Lucca Plain

The municipality’s northern hiking network comprises 17 routes through the hilly and mountainous area of the Pizzorne plateau, which is part of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The trails pass through forests and offer panoramic views over the Lucca Plain. Hiking here therefore takes you through woodland and to viewpoints overlooking the plain.

The Via Francigena also runs through Capannori in two versions. The northern route crosses the green heights of the Pizzorne, while the southern one passes through the landscape of Monte Pisano. The two options therefore differ in the landscapes described; both can also be explored by bicycle. Another cycling option is Le Ville della Lucchesia: this circular bike tour starts in Capannori and offers a way to explore the beauties of the Lucca Plain.

Villa Torrigiani can be reached via an approximately 700-metre-long cypress avenue leading to the villa. Its length and the type of trees give the route to the villa a distinctive landscape feature.

Villas, museum and history

Around 150 large and small villas can be visited in the Capannori area. Wealthy merchants from Lucca built them between the 15th and 19th centuries; the merchants were active in trade and banking. This long period and the range of sizes characterize the area’s villa heritage.

The Museo Athena is the municipal museum of Capannori. It is housed in a three-storey 17th-century palace and has an archaeological section and an ethnographic section. The two sections cover distinct subject areas: archaeological finds and ethnographic material.

At the Pieve di San Gennaro, a likely early foundation and a precisely dated work of art come together. The church was probably founded in the 6th century, in the time of San Frediano. Its Romanesque pulpit, which has been preserved intact, dates to 1162 and is signed by Maestro Filippo.

Nature and regional routes

The Camellietum Compitese garden is home to more than 1,000 varieties of camellia. Bosco del Bottaccio, meanwhile, is recognized as a Special Area of Conservation (IT5120101) and as a Ramsar site under the name “ex lago e padule di Bientina.” These two places represent different aspects of nature: an extensive camellia collection and an area with two recognized conservation designations.

Capannori is also one of the most important areas along the “Strada del Vino e dell’Olio Lucca Montecarlo Versilia.” This food-and-wine tourism route stretches across the hills of Lucca, Montecarlo, Versilia and the Serchio Valley.

In Borgo delle Camelie, the side streets are closed to traffic; they wind between houses and small vegetable gardens. A different attraction is the Capannori Astronomical Observatory (OAC), an observation station on Mount Gallonzora near the village of Vorno.

Quercia delle Streghe is accessible via the local road descending from San Martino in Colle. As local conditions may change, check access before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Camigliano, Gragnano, Matraia, Carraia, Colle Di Compito, Massa Macinaia, Petrognano, Pieve Di Compito, Ruota, San Gennaro, Valgiano, Lappato, Lammari, Lunata, San Leonardo In Treponzio, San Ginese Di Compito, Corte Polito, Vorno, S.Andrea In Caprile, All’erta.

For the broader travel overview: Lucca.